Tag Archives: N.E.R.D.

As evidenced by the previous posts I had a pretty amazing year of concert-going. A near lifelong quest completed, an epic show I’d missed 30 years ago revisited. A music oriented couple weeks in London. Countless HOF members of the Rock Hall of Fame….heck a ton of them in just a single week. Shows with good friends old and new. Hard to even wrap my head around the whole thing.

Twenty three shows and two festivals in all. I don’t think I could even pick a “best”. However a few things to note do occur to me.

Worst sound, Scissor Sisters. Horrible mix that completely left the vocals out, and it’s not like I had a crappy seat, I was in the 5th row. Really guys? Totally detracted from an interesting performance.

Only show I left early, Jack Johnson. It was okay, but very one-note. I like his studio stuff, but in a huge arena it was lost. Put the same show in an intimate venue and I might have loved it. Add to the experience that I was a bit sick that night and it was just not a compelling show.

Most disappointing, Muse/Passion Pit. Passion Pit left me cold and Muse after all the hype just didn’t live up to expectations. Lot’s of copped riffs and wasted technology that didn’t go anywhere. If you want to use technology look to Gabriel, Waters or even the Pet Shop Boys. This was “sound and fury that signified nothing”…

Most intimate, Neil Finn. The Largo is magic when Neil plays there and the September show was no exception. An obscure setlist that actually added to the special feeling of the evening. You knew even while watching this was the sort of thing that would never be duplicated. Jackson Browne in the acoustic tent at Glastonbury was a close second. While the masses grooved to Stevie Wonder….Jackson held court for a few hundred lucky folks and spun magic with his sidekick David Lindley. Moving and unique almost sell short just how very special a way it was to end my Glastonbury experience.

Surprises…How awesome Gorillaz were in LA after disappointing in Glastonbury.